Core Assessments of 'children in need'

Both legislation and Practice Guidance require social services authorities to conduct assessments of children in need. That process, for the majority of children, will take the form of a "Core Assessment".  This provides (or should provide) for a detailed consideration of the circumstances of the individual child and his or her family circumstances.  Such assessments are at the very heart of ‘good practice’ for those involved in understanding and making provision for individuals whose needs justify state intervention.

It is, however, a common experience to find that children (and often those who care for them) remain without appropriate levels of service. Despite the social work profession’s awareness and acceptance of the fact that many children are very vulnerable, local authority strictures often get in the way of allocating necessary resources.  One of the key remedies to such a situation is to obtain an independent view about a child's assessment.  Because a comprehensive and professional assessment is ultimate critical to service-allocation decisions made by the local authority, a challenge to the existing documentation may become essential.

Good assessments should be common-place, but if you and/or your client feel that independent consideration of the needs of a child is required (or a critique of the existing assessments is needed), then I can assist you.

Informal enquiries would be welcome.  

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Clive Yeadon: Independent Social Welfare and Social Policy Consultant